Native American Museum Fellowship Aims to Reshape Native Narratives in Museum Work

ST. PAUL, Minn (February 2, 2024) – The Native American Undergraduate Museum Fellowship (NAUMF) program is now accepting applicants for the 2024 cohort. This 10-week paid program, running June 3 - August 9, 2024, will expose undergraduates and recent graduates to the museum field by participating in seminars, workshops, and an internship program designed to engage and expose fellows to the professional opportunities within the museum, cultural resources, public history, and tribal preservation fields. 

Fellows will learn about various career paths and academic requirements for working in these types of organizations, both on and off reservations. The program will also discuss particular challenges faced by American Indian communities related to preserving Tribal history and challenging the traditional narratives of Native people. 

The priority application deadline is March 22, 2024. All application materials must be submitted or postmarked no later than April 5, 2024. Click here to apply.

The first three weeks of the program will be an in-depth seminar that will focus on the function of museums and the roles and responsibilities of several departments. Through a mix of readings, discussions, exhibit analysis and guest speakers, fellows will have a better understanding of the day to day workings and the values and practices that inform public history museums and tribal historic preservation institutions. 

For the remaining seven weeks of the program, participants will be placed within the Minnesota Historical Society network for an immersive internship experience. 

About the Native American Initiatives team

The NAI team is an advocate for Native communities and Native nations at the Minnesota Historical Society, serving as a bridge between community needs and MNHS resources, engaging with Native communities and nations throughout the state, and ensuring Native voices, stories, and concerns are addressed in MNHS work. The NAI team conducts research, provides content, and creates programming and engagement opportunities across the state.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.